Fire at Delhi’s CGO Complex Contained, One CISF Personnel Dead

A CISF inspector who had fallen unconscious after inhaling the smoke and was taken to AIIMS, has passed away.

A fire broke out at the office of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, on the fifth floor of Pandit Deendayal Antyodaya Bhawan at CGO Complex in Delhi on Wednesday, 6 March, reported ANI.

The flames have been contained and the cooling process is underway, reported PTI.

CISF sub-inspector MP Godara has died in the fire. Godara fell unconscious after inhaling toxic gases. He was taken to AIIMS, where he died, the officials said. "Godara was the shift in-charge. When he went to take stock of the situation, he fell unconscious after inhaling carbon monoxide. He died at the hospital," Chief Fire Officer Atul Garg said, reported PTI.

According to PTI, the fire department got a call regarding the blaze at 8:34 am on Wednesday morning. Twenty-four fire tenders were rushed to the location of the fire to douse the flames.

The cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained.

Important Documents Could Be Destroyed

The fire has also sparked fears that important documents may have been destroyed by the flames. According to a ministry official, 80 percent of the entire B1 wing has been gutted and several files and documents have been destroyed.

"However, at this moment, it cannot be said that how much has been the damage but surely several files and documents may have been destroyed in the fire. We are not allowed to enter inside as it is sealed. An assessment can only be done once we go inside and check," the official said.

The 11-storey building, located in Delhi’s Pragati Vihar, houses several government offices. Offices of the drinking water and sanitation ministry, forest ministry and a branch of the Indian Air Force are located in the building, previously known as Paryavaran Bhawan.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI.)